Score on USMLE Diagnostic test after M1 year as predictor of actual?

[MrChance2]

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Our school wanted us to take a short practice test over the summer after M1 year using the kaplan diagnostic exam. From the people I've talked to most % scores began with the numbers 3-5. Anyone take some diagnostic tests after M1 year and care to share how things changed for the real thing?

 

[operaman]

Was this a diagnostic test that was like a mini step 1, or was this like the NBME basic science year 1 exam? Either way, not really predictive, and a mini step 1 at this point is absolutely worthless - all it does is tell you that you haven't taken M2 classes yet. If it only covered first year material, it's valuable as a guide for areas you might be weak in and need to review, but that's it.

 

[Slack3r]

Well, since Step 1 is mostly MS2 material, it's probably pretty different...

 

[JJMrK]

Pointless IMO. Wouldn't try to judge anything based on that.

 

[DermViser]

Our school wanted us to take a short practice test over the summer after M1 year using the kaplan diagnostic exam. From the people I've talked to most % scores began with the numbers 3-5. Anyone take some diagnostic tests after M1 year and care to share how things changed for the real thing?

Kaplan questions tend to not be as great - I thought they were too nit-picky, minutiaeish.

 

[sinombre]

Kaplan questions tend to not be as great - I thought they were too nit-picky, minutiaeish.

But do you think those kinds of questions are valuable in going from a good score to a great score? I'm still not sure if I want to use Kaplan or not, but I have access to the course.

 

[DermViser]

But do you think those kinds of questions are valuable in going from a good score to a great score? I'm still not sure if I want to use Kaplan or not, but I have access to the course.

I'd use the NBMEs as better assessments on where you stand score wise.

 

[MilkIsGood]

no dont waste your time

 

[operaman]

But do you think those kinds of questions are valuable in going from a good score to a great score? I'm still not sure if I want to use Kaplan or not, but I have access to the course.

The question bank worth doing is whichever one you get the worst scores on. If you get 90% or more on all your UWorld blocks, but 60-70% on Kaplan/Rx/whatever blocks, then you're probably learning more from the other banks at that point. UWorld is far and away the finest bank, but any bank is worth doing along the way if you're missing enough questions and learning from it.

 

[J ROD]

I would not waste time on Kaplan. Also, there is no need to take a guess when you are halfway there.

Just do FA, UW, and Pathoma. I would suggest Pathoma throughout the year.

 

[BestDoctorEver]

I would not waste time on Kaplan. Also, there is no need to take a guess when you are halfway there.

Just do FA, UW, and Pathoma. I would suggest Pathoma throughout the year.

I was told these three you listed are the key to have a good score in step 1--is that true?

 

[J ROD]

I was told these three you listed is the key to a good score in step 1--is that true?

yes....for most.